Emerging from the flourishing underground of Austin, Texas, Figure Factor has been quietly crafting a sound that resonates with the raw edge of post-punk, the swagger of new wave, and the brooding atmosphere of gothic-laced cold wave. Formed in 2018, the trio—comprising Jake Lauterstein on vocals and guitar, Lauren Hemphill on bass, and Christian Ellsworth on synth—channels the spirits of Bauhaus, The Cure, Adam Ant, and Sad Lovers and Giants, yet infuses their music with a chaotic energy born from sweat-drenched DIY queer-punk scenes and the cathartic release of dance-punk rhythms.
Their live performances are a spectacle of controlled anarchy, with band members whirling through feverish tempos, thrashing amidst gothic breakdowns, before slipping into moments of dreampop introspection, where love songs find refuge in the pauses. It’s no wonder Figure Factor sounds the way they do, having sharpened their edge by supporting seminal acts like French Coldwave pioneers Trisomie 21, sharing the San La Muerte festival stage with German post-punk legends, Pink Turns Blue, and backing Washington D.C.’s Priests
Figure Factor returns to the fray with their sophomore album, Once More With Feelings, a visceral shot of adrenaline to a broken heart that refuses to settle for the familiar. The album bristles with the emotional intensity of a wake, one that veers unpredictably between the heavy gravity of mourning and the cathartic release of revelry. It’s a liminal waystation place where joy and sorrow collide, folding into one another like waves, leaving behind a resonance that feels both disarming and exhilarating.
“‘Once More With Feelings’ is an album about grabbing your mindful machete and slicing through poisonous plasma/sadness demons,” the band reflects. “The floor falls out from under you, and you’re floating or falling, but the air’s been sucked out of the room. All you have is two paper clips and a rubber band. You tighten the rubber across the paper clips and begin to pluck away, the dull hollow band vibrating at an utterly delightful frequency. Changing the tension, a melody takes shape, and the floor reappears. A clear cube rises up out of the floor, and you’re soaring through a teal web of geometric pleasure.“
As the album unfolds as a journey through emotional landscapes, each track delves into themes of inner turmoil, existential dread, and the relentless pursuit of meaning.
“Mask” opens with a pulsing cold wave undercurrent, its catchy, resonant guitar riffs laying the foundation for vocals that oscillate between conversational asides and dramatic exclamations. Wrapped in imagery of isolation, sleepless nights, and the incessant demands of needy cats—a subtle nod to the lingering specter of the pandemic—the song captures the tension of being pulled in opposing directions by unseen “beasts of burden.” It’s a reflection on the weight of love and internal conflict, where hiding pain becomes routine as the mind races through unresolved fears in the encroaching darkness.
Transitioning to “Misty Eyes,” the band infuses subtle Texan twangs into their guitars while buzzing organ synths lend a European flair. The vocal melody is both captivating and refreshingly unorthodox, performing acrobatic leaps as it tackles the heavy subject of generational trauma. Through sharp lyrical introspection, the song peels back layers of hurt, echoing the frustration of feeling adrift and powerless. The imagery of burning crowds and the repeated command to “stop” underscores a desperate fight for boundaries and control amidst chaos.
With “Blue Dream,” Figure Factor delivers a buoyant, funky track propelled by rhythmic bounce and embellished with vintage post-punk guitar flourishes. The song delves into recurring dreams, night terrors, and the liberating acts of yoga and dance—sonically reminiscent of Bauhaus led by an audacious Adam Ant. Here, the speaker confronts inner demons, transforming a once sorrowful dream into an emblem of ongoing struggle and resilience. It’s a nightly battle against the past, fueled by grit and an unwavering resolve to press forward.
The icy romance of “Levitate Me” is draped in brooding guitars and synths that echo The Cure’s melancholic tones. Addressing themes of addiction, childhood mysticism, and inspirations drawn from Big Joe Williams’ “Elevate Me Baby,” the song evokes a sense of drifting through dissonance and uncertainty. The speaker grapples with feelings of disconnection, caught in an endless spiral while longing for elevation—a release from confusion and a quest for clarity amid the turmoil.
“Sleeping Giants” introduces an anxious guitar melody that unfolds into a thick bassline and art-rock vocals reminiscent of David Byrne’s eccentric delivery. The track is a gritty commentary on dystopian indifference, a heartfelt plea for kindness, and a subtle nod to Carl Sagan’s contemplations on humanity. It embodies the exhaustion with empty promises in a world numbed by apathy, where unseen forces manipulate from the shadows. The speaker is cornered but unyielding, ready to ignite the streets not with rage but with a transformative love that defies the surrounding decay.
An instrumental respite arrives with “Embers,” a stripped-down piece that serves as a meditation on Korg’s Dynamic Phrase Synthesizer, the Kaossilator. It’s the calm after the storm, a moment of introspective calm before diving back into the emotional depths.
Emerging from this tranquility, “Combust” builds into a brooding synthwave landscape adorned with cinematic dirges and Cure-like riffs. The song is a visceral exploration of love’s intense flames, where the boundaries between music and emotion blur. The speaker is enveloped in a whirlwind of passion, urging a surrender to spontaneity and the embrace of the present. Chaos intertwines with harmony as freedom and connection fuel the fervor of this relentless pursuit.
Turning towards brighter sonic horizons, “Hollow Earth” melds shimmering melodies with the jangle-pop sensibilities of The Ocean Blue and the quirky charm of Talking Heads. Diverging from themes of love, the track navigates the murky waters of conspiracy theories, cults, and the surreal vibes of anime soundtracks. The speaker, enveloped in uncertainty, chooses trust over skepticism, clinging to a flicker of hope even as darkness encroaches.
Reasserting their post-punk roots, “Hush Money” delivers a tight rhythm section beneath a cascade of vocal critiques. The song paints a grim portrait of a world derailed by narcissistic politicians and unchecked environmental decay. Machines hum ominously in the backdrop of a dystopian reality where control is wielded without accountability. The speaker confronts this desolation, urging a surrender—not of defeat but of acknowledgment—to the manipulations at play. It’s a bitter reflection on broken promises and the corrosive nature of power.
A poignant quote from The Fifth Element resonates before the album’s conclusion:
“What’s the use of saving life when you see what you do with it?”
“You’re right, but there are some very nice things worth saving.”
“Like love?”
“Yes, that’s good. Love. Love is worth saving.“
— Corbin and Leeloo Dallas
Closing with the melancholic “Pristine,” Figure Factor crafts a bittersweet finale where synths and guitars ebb and flow like raindrops on a windowsill. The vocals, steeped in resignation and mournful longing, delve into the silent struggle against depression. Drawing metaphors from The Fifth Element, the song becomes a stand against encroaching darkness. It contemplates the passage of time and the facade of a “pristine country” that masks deeper truths. Amidst the growing shadows, the speaker finds a burgeoning resolve to reclaim lost ground, challenging fate and confronting stark realities. It’s a defiant stand against ignorance, a quest for empowerment when all seems unattainable.
Once More With Feelings is more than an album; it’s a profound exploration of the human condition—a mirror reflecting the complexities of love, loss, and resilience. Figure Factor has forged a work that resonates with timeless themes, echoing their influences while confidently asserting their unique voice in the contemporary music landscape.
Listen to Once More With Feelings below and order it here.
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